Red Bull reliability issues leave Isack Hadjar facing the same hurdles as Liam Lawson

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Isack Hadjar missed almost the entire morning session on day two of F1’s Bahrain test. By the time Red Bull had fixed a hydraulic issue, he was only able to complete a single installation lap.

Hadjar did his best to make it up for it in the afternoon, finishing the day with 87 laps on the board – over 1.5 race distances in Bahrain. But only Mercedes, who had to change their engine, completed fewer laps.

Hadjar crashed during the Barcelona Shakedown at the end of last month, delaying Red Bull’s return to the track as they waited for spare parts to arrive. This mechanical problem was more disruptive.

Here’s how the teams fare at the end of Bahrain testing Day 2 ⏱️

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The Frenchman is trying to acclimatise not only to Red Bull, but also to the new generation of cars, and his programme has been severely compressed ahead of a final stint in the car on Friday evening.

Isack Hadjar misses crucial testing laps, just like Liam Lawson did last year

Hadjar’s frustrations conjure memories of Liam Lawson’s 2025 Bahrain test. Lawson also had the car to himself on day two last year but spent hours in the garage with a water systems issue.

Like Hadjar, the New Zealander recovered reasonably well by reaching 91 laps for the day, but there was still a knock-on effect.

Prove me wrong: Liam Lawson can show he deserves another chance at Red Bull

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As late as July, Lawson was reflecting on ‘issues in testing’ that had compromised his preparations for the season. He only lasted two races in the seat before he was demoted to Racing Bulls.

While there was only one pre-season test last year at the end of the ruleset, Hadjar can look forward to another one and a half days in the car in Bahrain next week.

Isack Hadjar has already been compared to Red Bull casualty Pierre Gasly

Pundit Alex Brundle has suggested that Red Bull may ‘need’ Hadjar more than they needed Lawson if they’re on the back foot with their first-ever engine. If anything, the early indications are that the Bulls have stolen a march on their established rivals in terms of deployment.

Felipe Massa has backed Hadjar to succeed at Red Bull, suggesting he’s joined at the right time. The regulation changes may reset the car’s notoriously tricky handling characteristics.

Hadjar is looking to break the second driver ‘curse’ at Milton Keynes, which arguably stretches back to 2019. Max Verstappen has had five teammates since Daniel Ricciardo left to join Renault.

Hadjar was compared to Pierre Gasly, Ricciardo’s initial replacement, when he repeated his compatriot’s testing crash. That’s not to say he hasn’t been quick while running smoothly, though.

Gasly lasted just half a season before a Lawson-esque demotion, but there’s every indication that the new Red Bull regime will be more patient with young drivers. Indeed, Laurent Mekies might make more allowances for Hadjar on the back of Thursday’s problems.